","heading":"","fullWindow":false,"fullBleed":false,"headColor":"","type":"html5mobile","textColor":"","mobileImageUrl":"","bgColor":"","imageUrl":"","registeredOnly":false,"linkUrl":"","internalScroll":false,"displayStyle":"small-up"},{"text":"He’s a better defender than you think","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"It’s widely believed Lin would be an upgrade on the departed Delon Wright on the offensive of the ball but that he’s not as good of a defender as the former Raptor. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"However, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson warns fans not to sleep on Lin’s defence.","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"“What I always said about Jeremy is he’s a heck of a competitor, a much better defender than people think,” Atkinson told reporters in Toronto on Monday. “He fits the style of play (Raptors coach Nick Nurse) wants to play. He’s an elite competitor.","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"“Everyone competes in this league, but there’s a pocket of guys that go above and beyond that. You know he’s going to be prepared. He’s meticulous in his preparation and obviously very smart and versatile. He can play (point guard), (shooting guard). You saw him guard Dwyane Wade in the playoffs (when Lin was with Charlotte), so he can help defensively. Excellent pickup.”","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"His career has been slowed by injuries","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"Lin strained his left hamstring three times in 2016-17 with the Nets and only played 36 games that season.","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"Lin then suffered a ruptured patella tendon of the right knee on opening night of last season that cost him the entire year. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"The Nets needed salary-cap room in the off-season and traded him to Atlanta, where he has been averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds for the Hawks while backing up rising star Trae Young.","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"Unfamiliar teammates","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"Usually when a veteran gets traded there’s somebody on the new club who is a former teammate. While Lin has played nine seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t played one game in the league with his new teammates, perhaps a reflection of either how young the Raptors are, and/or how some have just played with one team for most of their careers (Kawhi Leonard with San Antonio and Marc Gasol with Memphis).","type":"text","isParagraph":true},{"text":"Patrick Ho is a rewrite editor working on the Star’s digital desk in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @patrick_ho_007","authorImgSrc":"https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/columnist_logos/Ho_Patricknew.jpg.size.custom.crop.284x177.jpg","authorPageUrl":"/authors.ho_patrick.html","authorName":"Patrick Ho","type":"endnote","isLast":true},{"type":"shareBar"},{"type":"trustbar"},{"type":"distroscale"}],"assetTags":["jeremy_lin","golden_state_warriors","smg_raptors","jonas_valan_i_nas","jeremy_lin","toronto","nba","raptors","ho_patrick","smg2_sports","linsanity","nba","basketball","new_york_knicks","canada_sports","jeremy_lin","sports","national_basketball_association","washington_wizards","basketball"],"seoKeywords":"Jeremy Lin,linsanity,Toronto,Raptors,NBA,sports,Canada sports,basketball,Washington Wizards,Golden State Warriors,smg2_sports,smg_raptors","promo":[],"related":{"pubdays":0,"strategy":0},"seoHead":"Jeremy Lin will make his Raptors debut tonight. Five things to know about him since Linsanity’s peak seven years ago","headline":"Jeremy Lin will make his Raptors debut tonight. Five things to know about him since Linsanity’s peak seven years ago","subheadline":"Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of Lin’s game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors in Toronto.","canonicalUrl":"https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago.html","seoDescription":"Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of Lin’s game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors in Toronto.","publishedepoch":1550081280000,"lastmodifiedepoch":1558548092731,"paywallMode":"metered","storyuuid":"443ac9a4-4ef8-497e-b2fd-8bfb4ee379be","republish":true,"slideshowid":"B88585567Z.1","lastmodified":"05 22 2019","lastreplicated":"Wed., May 22, 2019","readtime":3,"breadcrumbs":[{"label":"Sports","relurl":"/sports","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports.html"},{"label":"Raptors","relurl":"/sports/raptors","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports/raptors.html"}],"authors":[{"author":"Patrick Ho","photo":{"origImageSize":"5342x3562","lastmodified":2700061000,"url":"/content/dam/thestar/columnist_logos/Ho_Patricknew.jpg.size.custom.crop.640x360.jpg"},"location":"Toronto","tag":"ho_patrick","credit":"Rewrite Editor","twitterId":"patrick_ho_007","email":"pho@thestar.ca"}],"numOfParagraphs":27,"liftigImage":{"captionPosition":"overlay","fullWindowMainart":false,"type":"image","imageid":"G84GBL4Q.3","origImageSize":"1200x1021","cropthumb":"0,0,1200,675","lastmodified":1550108320759,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Jeremy Lin matches up against Jose Calderon as the New York Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors back in 2012.","source":"TORONTO STAR","credit":"RICK EGLINTON","url":"/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","mainartSize":"medium","renditions":[{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/-gHxkCIODojdACuOj0aVApEoIi8=/0x0:1200x675/93x52/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":93,"height":52,"scalefactor":8,"aspect":"wide"}]},"seopublisheddate":"2019-02-13","seomodifieddate":"2019-05-22","primarylabel":{"label":"Raptors","relurl":"/sports/raptors","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports/raptors.html"},"totalParas":0,"additionalEvents":",event29,event30","legacyArticleData":{"mainart":{"captionPosition":"overlay","fullWindowMainart":false,"type":"image","imageid":"G84GBL4Q.3","origImageSize":"1200x1021","cropthumb":"0,0,1200,675","lastmodified":1550108320759,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Jeremy Lin matches up against Jose Calderon as the New York Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors back in 2012.","source":"TORONTO STAR","credit":"RICK EGLINTON","url":"/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","renditions":[{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/6Lh9hLcVT8YOeuwVXuP3T2XTNF4=/1200x1021/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":1200,"height":1021,"scalefactor":100},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/_ri-i_ejr6mDmCAQO_vM9JAU3TY=/1086x924/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":1086,"height":924,"scalefactor":91},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/d5uL5vAGKWEIT2jKo56E910uRpc=/968x824/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":968,"height":824,"scalefactor":81},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/kInIios2mmkzG1YSTH2CfrFwNI8=/850x723/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":850,"height":723,"scalefactor":71},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/xR5fa31fb8imi1fPlLYhJo6lnUE=/650x553/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":650,"height":553,"scalefactor":54},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/FFzWTOPhuK2kDudB7k71tc_6Mj4=/605x515/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":605,"height":515,"scalefactor":50},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/bhUgG8Fgn0wFdts6w5mG2dhJXy0=/480x408/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":480,"height":408,"scalefactor":40},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/mh_woetsMyHtQzd4L9qkoMsSij0=/400x340/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":400,"height":340,"scalefactor":33},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/u_0_31KKGr5qaN4kT_YsAOrQXgI=/320x272/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":320,"height":272,"scalefactor":27},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/OCrpsFyFTEnb0B-8s0HHnIRr1A4=/93x79/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":93,"height":79,"scalefactor":8}],"isLandscape":true,"skip":true},"sourceCategory":"in-house","keywords":["oc:socialtag/j/o/n/jonas_valan_i_nas","oc:socialtag/j/e/r/jeremy_lin","oc:socialtag/n/e/w/new_york_knicks","oc:socialtag/b/a/s/basketball","oc:entities/City/t/o/r/toronto","oc:entities/SportsLeague/n/b/a/nba","oc:entities/Organization/n/a/t/national_basketball_association","oc:entities/Person/j/e/r/jeremy_lin","oc:socialtag/n/a/t/national_basketball_association","ng:j/e/r/jeremy_lin","ng:l/i/n/linsanity","ng:t/o/r/toronto","ng:r/a/p/raptors","ng:n/b/a/nba","ng:s/p/o/sports","ng:c/a/n/canada_sports","ng:b/a/s/basketball","ng:w/a/s/washington_wizards","ng:g/o/l/golden_state_warriors","ng:s/m/g/smg2_sports","ng:s/m/g/smg_raptors"],"inbrief":[],"TorstarTags":["16"],"publisheddate":"Wed., Feb. 13, 2019","lastreplicatedepoch":1558548097458,"type":"Story","body":[{"type":"text","text":"

So it’s almost fitting that the 30-year-old point guard will make his debut for the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena tonight against the Washington Wizards.

"},{"type":"mainart","data":{"captionPosition":"overlay","fullWindowMainart":false,"type":"image","imageid":"G84GBL4Q.3","origImageSize":"1200x1021","cropthumb":"0,0,1200,675","lastmodified":1550108320759,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Jeremy Lin matches up against Jose Calderon as the New York Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors back in 2012.","source":"TORONTO STAR","credit":"RICK EGLINTON","url":"/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","renditions":[{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/6Lh9hLcVT8YOeuwVXuP3T2XTNF4=/1200x1021/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":1200,"height":1021,"scalefactor":100},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/_ri-i_ejr6mDmCAQO_vM9JAU3TY=/1086x924/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":1086,"height":924,"scalefactor":91},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/d5uL5vAGKWEIT2jKo56E910uRpc=/968x824/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":968,"height":824,"scalefactor":81},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/kInIios2mmkzG1YSTH2CfrFwNI8=/850x723/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":850,"height":723,"scalefactor":71},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/xR5fa31fb8imi1fPlLYhJo6lnUE=/650x553/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":650,"height":553,"scalefactor":54},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/FFzWTOPhuK2kDudB7k71tc_6Mj4=/605x515/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":605,"height":515,"scalefactor":50},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/bhUgG8Fgn0wFdts6w5mG2dhJXy0=/480x408/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":480,"height":408,"scalefactor":40},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/mh_woetsMyHtQzd4L9qkoMsSij0=/400x340/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":400,"height":340,"scalefactor":33},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/u_0_31KKGr5qaN4kT_YsAOrQXgI=/320x272/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":320,"height":272,"scalefactor":27},{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/OCrpsFyFTEnb0B-8s0HHnIRr1A4=/93x79/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":93,"height":79,"scalefactor":8}],"isLandscape":true}},{"type":"ads_below"},{"type":"text","text":"

But a lot has changed since a little-known Harvard grad, barely clinging on to a career in the league, came off the bench for the injury-riddled Knicks and led them to the playoffs in 2011-12.

Here’s a refresher for those who haven’t closely followed Lin’s career since he left New York:

Lin wasn’t taken in the 2010 NBA draft, but signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Golden State Warriors.

The Knicks claimed him off waivers in December 2011 as insurance. When the three point guards ahead of him got injured, Lin came off the bench on Feb. 4, 2012 against the Nets and scored 25 points. Lin became the first NBA player to score at least 20 points and have seven assists in each of his first five starts.

From there, he bounced around the league, playing with Los Angeles, Charlotte, Brooklyn and Atlanta. He was on the last year of a three-year, $36-million deal when he was bought out by the Hawks to join Toronto.

He will wear No. 17

"},{"type":"articleRelatedInlineSecondary"},{"type":"text","text":"

Lin posted a photo on his Instagram account of himself wearing a photoshopped Raptors jersey with the No. 17, worn for seven seasons by the popular Jonas Valanciunas before he was dealt last week to Memphis. “s/o to @jvalanciunas for letting me rock your number #yesitextedhim #respect”

It’s the same number Lin was wearing when he hit the game-winning shot in Toronto for the Knicks. According to basketball-reference.com, aside from Valanciunas, only one other Raptors player has worn No. 17 — Eric Williams.

"},{"duration":"","fullWindowYoutube":false,"uploadDate":"","thumbnailSize":"","youtubeTags":"","registeredOnly":false,"description":"","youtubeid":"JIHTi7cz3Qo","type":"youtube","title":"","thumbnailUrl":"","channelTitle":""},{"type":"cta","buttonText":"Sign Up Now","buttonLink":"/emails.html?utm_source=thestar&utm_medium=inline&utm_campaign=auto&utm_content=sportsheadlines","description":"Get the Star's Sports Headlines newsletter for a daily round-up of the latest big news.","title":"Get more sports in your inbox"},{"snippet":"

It’s widely believed Lin would be an upgrade on the departed Delon Wright on the offensive of the ball but that he’s not as good of a defender as the former Raptor.

However, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson warns fans not to sleep on Lin’s defence.

“What I always said about Jeremy is he’s a heck of a competitor, a much better defender than people think,” Atkinson told reporters in Toronto on Monday. “He fits the style of play (Raptors coach Nick Nurse) wants to play. He’s an elite competitor.

“Everyone competes in this league, but there’s a pocket of guys that go above and beyond that. You know he’s going to be prepared. He’s meticulous in his preparation and obviously very smart and versatile. He can play (point guard), (shooting guard). You saw him guard Dwyane Wade in the playoffs (when Lin was with Charlotte), so he can help defensively. Excellent pickup.”

His career has been slowed by injuries

Lin strained his left hamstring three times in 2016-17 with the Nets and only played 36 games that season.

Lin then suffered a ruptured patella tendon of the right knee on opening night of last season that cost him the entire year.

The Nets needed salary-cap room in the off-season and traded him to Atlanta, where he has been averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds for the Hawks while backing up rising star Trae Young.

Unfamiliar teammates

Usually when a veteran gets traded there’s somebody on the new club who is a former teammate. While Lin has played nine seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t played one game in the league with his new teammates, perhaps a reflection of either how young the Raptors are, and/or how some have just played with one team for most of their careers (Kawhi Leonard with San Antonio and Marc Gasol with Memphis).

Patrick Ho is a rewrite editor working on the Star’s digital desk in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @patrick_ho_007

"},{"type":"trustbar"},{"type":"articleRelated","display":"small-only"},{"type":"text","text":""},{"type":"newsletterbox"}],"assetTags":["jeremy_lin","golden_state_warriors","smg_raptors","jonas_valan_i_nas","jeremy_lin","toronto","nba","raptors","ho_patrick","smg2_sports","linsanity","nba","basketball","new_york_knicks","canada_sports","jeremy_lin","sports","national_basketball_association","washington_wizards","basketball"],"seoKeywords":"Jeremy Lin,linsanity,Toronto,Raptors,NBA,sports,Canada sports,basketball,Washington Wizards,Golden State Warriors,smg2_sports,smg_raptors","promo":[],"related":{"pubdays":0,"strategy":0},"seoHead":"Jeremy Lin will make his Raptors debut tonight. Five things to know about him since Linsanity’s peak seven years ago","headline":"Jeremy Lin will make his Raptors debut tonight. Five things to know about him since Linsanity’s peak seven years ago","subheadline":"Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of Lin’s game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors in Toronto.","canonicalUrl":"https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago.html","seoDescription":"Thursday marks the seventh anniversary of Lin’s game-winning three-pointer against the Raptors in Toronto.","publishedepoch":1550081280000,"lastmodifiedepoch":1558548092731,"paywallMode":"metered","storyuuid":"443ac9a4-4ef8-497e-b2fd-8bfb4ee379be","slideshowid":"B88585567Z.1","lastmodified":"05 22 2019","lastreplicated":"Wed., May 22, 2019","readtime":3,"breadcrumbs":[{"label":"Sports","relurl":"/sports","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports.html"},{"label":"Raptors","relurl":"/sports/raptors","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports/raptors.html"}],"authors":[{"author":"Patrick Ho","photo":{"origImageSize":"5342x3562","lastmodified":2700061000,"url":"/content/dam/thestar/columnist_logos/Ho_Patricknew.jpg.size.custom.crop.640x360.jpg"},"location":"Toronto","tag":"ho_patrick","credit":"Rewrite Editor","twitterId":"patrick_ho_007","email":"pho@thestar.ca"}],"basic":true,"numOfParagraphs":28,"liftigImage":{"captionPosition":"overlay","fullWindowMainart":false,"type":"image","imageid":"G84GBL4Q.3","origImageSize":"1200x1021","cropthumb":"0,0,1200,675","lastmodified":1550108320759,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Jeremy Lin matches up against Jose Calderon as the New York Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors back in 2012.","source":"TORONTO STAR","credit":"RICK EGLINTON","url":"/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","renditions":[{"url":"https://images.thestar.com/-gHxkCIODojdACuOj0aVApEoIi8=/0x0:1200x675/93x52/smart/filters:cb(1550108320759)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/raptors/2019/02/13/jeremy-lin-could-make-his-raptors-debut-tonight-five-things-to-know-about-him-since-linsanitys-peak-seven-years-ago/lin.jpg","width":93,"height":52,"scalefactor":8,"aspect":"wide"}]},"seopublisheddate":"2019-02-13","seomodifieddate":"2019-05-22","primarylabel":{"label":"Raptors","relurl":"/sports/raptors","url":"https://www.thestar.com/content/thestar/sports/raptors.html"},"totalParas":28,"additionalEvents":",event29,event30","loaded":true,"comscore":"pageview_candidate","paywall":true},"loaded":true,"comscore":"pageview_candidate","paywall":true}
//-->

This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

So it’s almost fitting that the 30-year-old point guard will make his debut for the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena tonight against the Washington Wizards.

But a lot has changed since a little-known Harvard grad, barely clinging on to a career in the league, came off the bench for the injury-riddled Knicks and led them to the playoffs in 2011-12.

Here’s a refresher for those who haven’t closely followed Lin’s career since he left New York:

Raptors will be his eighth NBA team

Lin wasn’t taken in the 2010 NBA draft, but signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Golden State Warriors.

The Knicks claimed him off waivers in December 2011 as insurance. When the three point guards ahead of him got injured, Lin came off the bench on Feb. 4, 2012 against the Nets and scored 25 points. Lin became the first NBA player to score at least 20 points and have seven assists in each of his first five starts.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN...

Despite the craze surrounding Lin, New York let him go after the season and he signed a four-year, $28.8-million deal with the Houston Rockets.

From there, he bounced around the league, playing with Los Angeles, Charlotte, Brooklyn and Atlanta. He was on the last year of a three-year, $36-million deal when he was bought out by the Hawks to join Toronto.

He will wear No. 17

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN...

Lin posted a photo on his Instagram account of himself wearing a photoshopped Raptors jersey with the No. 17, worn for seven seasons by the popular Jonas Valanciunas before he was dealt last week to Memphis. “s/o to @jvalanciunas for letting me rock your number #yesitextedhim #respect”

It’s the same number Lin was wearing when he hit the game-winning shot in Toronto for the Knicks. According to basketball-reference.com, aside from Valanciunas, only one other Raptors player has worn No. 17 — Eric Williams.

Get more sports in your inbox

Get the Star's Sports Headlines newsletter for a daily round-up of the latest big news.

It’s widely believed Lin would be an upgrade on the departed Delon Wright on the offensive of the ball but that he’s not as good of a defender as the former Raptor.

However, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson warns fans not to sleep on Lin’s defence.

“What I always said about Jeremy is he’s a heck of a competitor, a much better defender than people think,” Atkinson told reporters in Toronto on Monday. “He fits the style of play (Raptors coach Nick Nurse) wants to play. He’s an elite competitor.

“Everyone competes in this league, but there’s a pocket of guys that go above and beyond that. You know he’s going to be prepared. He’s meticulous in his preparation and obviously very smart and versatile. He can play (point guard), (shooting guard). You saw him guard Dwyane Wade in the playoffs (when Lin was with Charlotte), so he can help defensively. Excellent pickup.”

His career has been slowed by injuries

Lin strained his left hamstring three times in 2016-17 with the Nets and only played 36 games that season.

Lin then suffered a ruptured patella tendon of the right knee on opening night of last season that cost him the entire year.

The Nets needed salary-cap room in the off-season and traded him to Atlanta, where he has been averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds for the Hawks while backing up rising star Trae Young.

Unfamiliar teammates

Usually when a veteran gets traded there’s somebody on the new club who is a former teammate. While Lin has played nine seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t played one game in the league with his new teammates, perhaps a reflection of either how young the Raptors are, and/or how some have just played with one team for most of their careers (Kawhi Leonard with San Antonio and Marc Gasol with Memphis).

More Sports

Top Stories

More from The Star & Partners

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com